Home-based exercise program to improve physical function for bladder cancer patients

The "Get Moving Trial": A Phase I/II RCT of Home-Based (P)Rehabilitation With ExerciseRx in Bladder Cancer and Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer

NA · University of Washington · NCT06040762

This study is testing whether a home-based exercise program can help bladder cancer patients recover better and improve their physical health before and after surgery.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment128 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Washington (other)
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Seattle, Washington)
Trial IDNCT06040762 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates a personalized home-based prehabilitation exercise intervention aimed at improving physical function and surgical outcomes in patients with bladder cancer and upper tract urothelial cancer. Participants are randomized into two groups: one group follows a structured exercise program using the ExerciseRx app, while the other receives standard educational materials. The exercise program includes four weekly sessions focused on core strength and balance, along with personalized step count goals, and is designed to be completed prior to surgery and continued for 90 days post-surgery. The study aims to assess the impact of pre-surgical physical activity on recovery and overall health outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are English-speaking adults aged 18 and older who are scheduled for radical cystectomy or nephroureterectomy and can commit to the exercise program.

Not a fit: Patients with significant cognitive impairments or those unable to safely perform exercises at home may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could enhance recovery and physical function in bladder cancer patients undergoing surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with prehabilitation approaches in surgical patients, indicating potential for success in this novel application.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 18 years of age or older
* English-speaking
* Planned treatment with radical cystectomy or radical nephroureterectomy/ureterectomy with or without preceding systemic therapy as indicated by the patient's surgeon with enough time to complete a minimum of 4 weeks of exercises before surgery if enrolled in the (P)REHAB arm
* Willing and able to participate in trial activities

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cognitive/mental impairment that will preclude ability to participate in routine exercise activities. Significant cognitive or memory impairment or baseline dementia that would preclude a patient's ability to follow instructions or reproduce exercises
* Immobility, inability/unwillingness to perform personalized exercise program. Inability to perform exercises safely from seated or standing position at home or recent falls or high fall risk. Neurologic or orthopedic condition(s) that restricts participation in unsupervised home exercises, such as prior stroke with neurologic impairment, weight-bearing precautions, or unwillingness to participate in exercises
* Participants who have nonmuscle-invasive urothelial cancer of the bladder/upper tract anticipating undergoing organ-preserving treatments, or radiographic evidence of metastatic disease involving other organs including brain metastases.
* Patients with predominant histology other than urothelial carcinoma of the bladder or upper tracts (e.g. metastasis from another cancer) who would not otherwise be considered candidates for standard definitive or consolidative surgeries (radical cystectomy, ureterectomy, radical nephroureterectomy) with/without treatment with preoperative/neoadjuvant systemic therapy.
* Uncontrolled or concurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements
* Pregnant women are excluded from this study
* Inability to understand or read English
* Lack of access or lack of sufficient facility to use an Android or iOS smart device with the minimum criteria for using ExerciseRx
* Not receiving surgery at UWMC
* Participation in a clinical trial that does not permit enrollment in the Get Moving trial

Where this trial is running

Seattle, Washington

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Bladder Cancer, Urothelial Carcinoma, Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma, Renal Pelvis and Ureter Urothelial Carcinoma

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.